Cherry Branch..to split or not?

[22arrows]

Fellas I found myself a nice cherry tree that had fell over the winter. Yesterday I went and cut off one of the branches approximately 3 inches in diameter and about 60 inch tall.
My question is should I still split it even though its 3 inch in diameter? Also i am not positive if its black cherry, but I've read that's black cherry isn't the best bow wood? Is this true?

Thanks

[adb]

Black cherry is fine bow wood, but you have to stick within it's limitations. Personally, I don't like branch staves, but that's just me. Lots of guys here have made wonderful bows from branch staves.

[22arrows]

Thanks, I just stated working with staves/branches; I dont really have the tool to reduce large staves.
I just got the branch inside a measured it; its shorter then i thought. Its only measuring out to 53 inches; so total working length I suspect will be much shorter?
My plan was to make wide paddle type bow out of, but not totally positive. I don't really have anything to go by as far as what cherry can and cant do.

[Ryano]

Stick with a bendy handle D style bow for a stave that length. You'll need all the working limb you can get with black cherry....also a light backing like raw hide or silk is a good idea. 

[adb]

I've made several black cherry bows... all backed with hickory, maple, or rawhide. All have been 64"-66", with 1 1/2"- 1 3/4" wide limbs for 2/3s, and tapering to 1/2" tips. Keep cherry wide and long, or it will probably fret or break, and take excessive set. I think you're asking a lot out of a 53" branch stave. But, that being said, give it a go, and see what happens. Sounds like a good learning experience to me.

[22arrows]

Thanks fellas, I guess that's all i can do is give it a go.

[Danny Roberts]

What happened to the rest of the tree ?

[22arrows]

What happened to the rest of the tree ?

Oh its all still there; this branch I got was the smallest thing I could carry out
I really dont have the tools to cut out some larger staves.